Universal sensor fitting for process applications

ABSTRACT

A universal fitting for in-line fluid measurement in a process application. The fitting includes an inlet and outlet port and also has a body with a fluid flow passage providing fluid communication between the ports. A sensor housing is provided that extends outwardly away from a wall of the body, wherein the housing is sized to receive a sensor assembly, which assembly measures at least one characteristic of the fluid. A base of each housing integrally formed with the wall and including a sensor seat for receiving a portion of the sensor assembly. A probe aperture receives a probe portion of the sensor assembly, each housing having the probe aperture disposed in the wall and extending from the fluid passage through its respective sensor seat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/040,609, filed Feb. 10, 2016, which is adivisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/651,950, filedOct. 15, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,285,250, which is a divisionalapplication of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/981,959, filed Dec. 30,2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,302,496, which claims priority tonon-provisional patent application Ser. No. 11/757,981, filed Jun. 4,2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,608, which claims priority to provisionalpatent Application Ser. No. 60/810,464, filed Jun. 3, 2006. Theseearlier filed applications are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Process applications generally involve a series of actions or steps thatare taken in a prescribed sequence in the development and/ormanufacturing of a product. Such processes are repeatable andpredictable, or at least are generally intended to be. In a wide rangeof fluid handling process applications knowledge of process pressure orother fluid characteristics is a valuable piece of information. Suchmeasurements are of particular interest in the technology field ofbiopharmaceutical process applications for both product development andmanufacturing. For example, in order to measure pressure in a fluidstream or vessel, a pressure gauge is traditionally used. In someautomated systems, a stainless steel pressure measurement device with anintegral transmitter is also common. However, the use of an in-linegauge or stainless steel pressure transmitter it not optimal in someprocess applications, such as when using lightweight flexible tubing,such in-line devices can be bulky, weighty or too intrusive.

Additionally, many fluid process applications in biotechnology andchemistry require fluid handling environment with minimal microbialcontamination. It is important to ensure that an uncontaminatedenvironment has been maintained throughout the process. Thus, incritical processes, such as production in bioreactors, filtration, andchromatography, knowledge of the fluid pressure in the process iscritical, but an uncontaminated environment must be maintained.

One method of maintaining an uncontaminated environment is to employcritical assembly elements that are designed for single-use (or limiteduse). Thus, in such an assembly the flow path could contain a largevariety of components such as single use process containers(plastic/polymeric containers/bags), tubing, filters, and connectors.Frequently, peristaltic tubing pumps where the pump parts only contactthe outside of process tubing but does not touch the fluid stream areused for different processes. Furthermore a single use flow path can bedelivered to an end-user assembled and even gamma-irradiated orsterilized by other means such as chemical sterilization. However, ifsterilization is required, many single-use process components are notcompatible with moist heat sterilization temperatures so there may berequirement for separate sterilization of the process sensors such as astainless steel pressure transmitter device and possibly non-optimalconnection to a pre-sterilized disposable assembly. Even if the processis only sanitary (not sterile) and tubing is to be utilized in theprocess and the tubing inner diameter (ID) is small, it can becumbersome to connect a pressure measurement device with a sanitaryfitting flange(s) to a process stream. Also, even if only sanitary,critical cleaning would be required of all product contacts parts of aprocess sensor such as a pressure a measurement device and associatedfittings used to connect it to the process.

It is therefore desirable to provide an apparatus and/or system that issuitable to maintain an environment with minimal microbialcontamination, while providing the ability to measure pressure and othercharacteristics of the fluid itself. Also, the apparatus and/or systemmust be easy to use, inexpensive and universally adaptable to numerousapplications.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present invention relates to a universal fitting forin-line fluid measurement in a process application. The fitting includesan inlet and outlet port. The fitting also has a body with a fluid flowpassage providing fluid communication between the ports. A sensorhousing is provided that extends outwardly away from a wall of the body,wherein the housing is sized to receive a sensor assembly, whichassembly measures at least one characteristic of the fluid. A base ofeach housing integrally formed with the wall and including a sensor seatfor receiving a portion of the sensor assembly. A probe aperturereceives a probe portion of the sensor assembly, each housing having theprobe aperture disposed in the wall and extending from the fluid passagethrough its respective sensor seat.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a universal fittingfor in-line fluid measurement in a process application. The fittingincludes an inlet and outlet port for in-line coupling to the processapplication. Also, a fluid flow passage provides fluid communicationbetween the ports. At least one sensor housing extends outwardly awayfrom a wall of the fluid passage. Also, the housing is sized to receivea sensor assembly which assembly measures at least one characteristic ofthe fluid. A base of the housing is integrally formed with the wall andincludes a sensor seat for receiving a portion of the sensor assembly.Further, at least one probe aperture is provided for receiving a probeportion of the sensor assembly. The probe aperture is disposed in thewall of the fluid passage and extends from the fluid passage through thesensor seat into the housing.

Additionally, at least a portion of the housing can be formed tomaintain a unique mounting orientation between the sensor assembly andthe fluid passage, when the sensor assembly is inserted in the housing.Also, the sensor seat can be formed by a depression in an outer portionof the fluid passage wall. Further, the fluid passage can have asubstantially constant cross-section between the inlet and outlet ports.Further still, an outer portion of the fluid passage wall can include atleast one hose barb or threaded portion for maintaining a couplingbetween the fitting and the process application.

The fitting can further include an annular flange for limiting a lengthof application process tubing that can be directly mounted on thefitting, the flange protruding radially from the an outer portion of thefluid passage wall. Also, at least a portion of the annular flange canform a portion of the housing. Further, the at least one sensor housingcan include at least two sensor housings. Further, the at least onesensor housing can include at least two sensor housings. Further still,the at least two sensor housings can be disposed in series and/or inparallel relative to the fluid flow passage. Additionally, an outerportion of the fluid passage wall can include a hose barb, threading,port plate and/or sanitary flange coupling structure for maintaining acoupling between the fitting and the process application.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a universal fittingincluding a port, a fluid flow passage, a sensor housing, a sensorassembly and a probe aperture. The port is for coupling to the processapplication. The fluid flow passage is in open communication with theport. The sensor housing is integrally formed with and extends outwardlyaway from a wall of the fluid passage. Also, a portion of the housingincludes a sensor seat. The sensor assembly measures at least onecharacteristic of the fluid. Also, the sensor assembly includes at leastone fluid probe. Additionally, the sensor assembly is sized to be atleast partially inserted into the sensor seat, wherein the probe isexposed to the fluid when so seated. Further, the probe aperturereceives the sensor probe. Also, the probe aperture is disposed in thewall of the fluid passage and extends from the fluid passage through thesensor seat into the housing.

Additionally, the sensor seat can be formed by a depression in an outerportion of the fluid passage wall. Also, the measured fluidcharacteristic can include at least one of fluid pressure, temperatureand flow rate. Further, the measured fluid characteristic can alsoinclude at least one of fluid pH, dissolved oxygen, absorption,capacitance, conductivity and turbidity. The fitting can further includea housing cap for substantially enclosing the sensor assembly. The capcan be sized to matingly secure to the housing. Also, the housing capcan secure the sensor assembly relative to the housing. Additionally,the housing can substantially enclose and stabilize the sensor assembly.Further, the sensor assembly can provide real-time measurements of thefluid characteristic.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of this inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description ofillustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a universal fittingin accordance with the subject invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the universal fitting of FIG. 1,with a sensor assembly cap secured to the sensor housing, in accordancewith the subject invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the universal fitting and sensor assembly capshown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the universalfitting, in accordance with the subject invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of another alternative embodiment of theuniversal fitting, in accordance with the subject invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of yet another alternative embodiment of theuniversal fitting, in accordance with the subject invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of yet another alternative embodiment of theuniversal fitting, in accordance with the subject invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the universalfitting with more than one sensor housing, in accordance with thesubject invention.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of another alternative embodiment of theuniversal fitting with more than one sensor housing, in accordance withthe subject invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of another alternative of the universal fittingwith a filter included in the fitting, in accordance with the subjectinvention.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a further alternative of the universalfitting with a filter included in the fitting, in accordance with thesubject invention.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the universal fitting ofFIG. 1, with a sensor assembly and cap secured to the sensor housing, inaccordance with the subject invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a fitting 10 in accordancewith the present invention that is easily integrated in-line to mostfluid process applications. Preferably the fitting 10 is made oflightweight plastic, however other materials can be used that suit aparticular application. For example, the fitting 10 can be made of partsthat are compatible with both gamma radiation (using doses high enoughfor sterilization of process assemblies used in the industry, i.e, up to45 KGy) or chemical sterilization (such as ethylene oxide (ETO)). Whilethe fitting body 45 is shown to be a particular thickness, it should beunderstood that the thickness, color, opacity or other such featurescould be modified as would be known by one in the art. The universalfitting of the present invention could be easily integrated to a processapplication fluid path by attaching it to existing tubing or othercommon process conduits or containers.

The fitting 10 includes inlet 20 and outlet 30 ports for coupling to theprocess. The central fitting body 45 includes a fluid flow passage 40,which allows fluid to communicate or flow from the inlet 20 to theoutlet 30. The inner diameter (ID) of the fluid flow passage 40 can beformed to numerous dimensions and adapted for specific applicationrequirements. The ID can potentially be formed and sold in differentsize ranges, incrementing for example by 1/16 of an inch to 1 inch orlarger.

Additionally, the fitting 10 includes a sensor housing 50, which ispreferably integrally formed with the rest of the fitting body. Thesensor housing 50 is sized to receive at least a portion of a sensorassembly (not shown) associated with a probe or other means of measuringone or more fluid characteristics. The housing 50 includes a sensor seat55 for receiving and preferably engaging a portion of the sensorassembly. Also, a probe aperture 60 is located in the housing 50, andpreferably penetrates the fitting body through the sensor seat 55. Theaperture 60 passes through an outer wall of the central fitting body,thereby coupling an inner chamber 80 of the housing 50 with the fluidflow passage 40. A bottom view of alternative fittings having similarhousing 50, sensor seat 55 and aperture 60 configurations is shown inFIGS. 4-10, discussed more fully below.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the fitting 10 with a sensor assembly cap 75 securedto the sensor housing 50. The sensor housing 50 is formed to protrudefrom a portion of the fitting body outer wall 49. A base portion 51 ofthe housing 50 proximal to the fluid passage 40 is preferably integrallyformed with the central fitting body 45. The opposite end of the housing59 is preferably open for receiving the sensor assembly and cap 75. Analignment groove 57, as also shown in FIG. 7, can also be provided toensure a unique orientation between the fitting 10 and the sensor cap75.

A sensor assembly is preferably contained within the inner chamber 80 ofthe housing 50 and covered by the cap 75. Wiring (an example of which isshown in FIG. 12) can then extend from the sensor assembly enclosed inthe housing 50 to a controller, power source or other sensor assemblyelements remote from the fitting 10. In addition to pressure, it isoften desirable to measure many other fluid characteristics, such asflow rate, pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity, clarity,absorption (using spectroscopy, laser or fiber optic techniques),capacitance or turbidity. Thus, in accordance with the presentinvention, the housing 50 is universally adapted to contain a selectsensor for at least one of these measurements. Also, by providing morethan one housing 50 in a single fitting, multiple fluid characteristicscan potentially be measured together.

Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) is the technology of the verysmall. Currently, numerous MEMS sensors on a chip are available thathave only a small surface that is required to be in direct or indirectcontact with the process (for example a 1 mm diameter surface) could bemounted in the aperture 60 between the fluid passage 40 and the housing50 to measure the fluid. While the sensor sits in the aperture 60, themicroprocessor chip controlling the sensor preferably sits in theadjacent sensor seat 55 and/or the housing 50. For example, there existpressure sensors that meet such criterion, that employ a siliconediaphragm in a wheatstone bridge circuit and the applied voltage to thecircuit gives a voltage output directly proportional to pressure. Afurther example of such sensors includes the “NPC-100 Series DisposableMedical Pressure Sensor,” manufactured by General Electric®.

Alternatively, the flow rate can be measured by using two MEMS pressurechips, taking advantage of the change in pressure across the spacebetween the sensors. This might require a larger aperture 60, or perhapstwo apertures, as shown in FIG. 9. However, flow can also be measuredusing vortex flow measurement devices in the form of a MEMS chip.Similarly, conductivity is generally the measurement of the conductancebetween two metal probes, placed a short distance apart, typically 1 cm.Thus, once again a dual aperture 60 configuration is desirable. If thespacing between probes or more or less than the 1 cm, the distance isgenerally normalized back to 1 cm. However, conductivity also requirestemperature to be measured, to correlate the measurement back to 25° C.,which then demands one or two additional aperture 60/housing 50.Temperature can be measured by thermistor, thermocouple or an RTD.Alternatively, one sensor housing could be used to measure conductivityor other characteristics, using a sensor aperture sized to fit thedesired sensing elements. For example, a conductivity sensor and atemperature sensor can be incorporated into a surface coating of asubstrate and made small enough to be seated together in a single sensoraperture. Such small sensors, particularly ones having sensing surfacessmaller than 1 cm, can be accommodated in relatively small sensorapertures. However, it should be understood that larger sensors could beused, as long as the sensor aperture is appropriately sized for it.

Other micro-sensors are available which can measure pH or dissolvedoxygen through the use of optical fluorescing membranes (in the form ofa dot) placed into a compartment. One side of the dot contacts the fluidand a detector is placed on the other side (away form fluid contact).The detector measures fluorescence via fiber optic cable and thatcorrelates the light to pH or dissolved oxygen concentration. It shouldbe noted that o-rings or other supplemental securing elements can alsobe used, particularly with these types of systems, to ensure a properseal, alignment and orientation, as well as to keep the sensor in place.A seal can be maintained within the aperture 60 and/or between thesensor seat 55 and the portion of the sensor assembly engaged thereon.Such a seal could be provided by adhesives, chemical bonding, ultrasonicwelding, o-rings, gaskets and other known means.

Further, optical fiber sensors are useful for measurements throughspectroscopy. The fiber is inserted into the aperture 60 and a lightshown into the fluid. The opposite side of the fluid path can eitherinclude a reflective surface, such as a mirror, or can include aphoto-detector. The path length of the light from the fiber(s) to thedetector must generally be known for proper measurements to be accurate.Similarly, spectroscopy can be used for turbidity measurements.

Thus, whether using MEMS chips, probes or fiber optics, by placing thesensor in the housing 50, different inlet 20 and outlet 30 sizes can bereadily used to optimize adaptation to the process based on processrequirements and there can even be a T- or a Y-junction, not limited tojust one inlet/one outlet, reducer fitting, and an elbow fitting. Byusing one size/diameter housing part for many different inlet and outletcombinations, the user can use the subject fitting in place of anexisting fitting. In this way, the fittings of the present invention canbe used in place of a traditional in-line coupling or transitionfitting. The present invention can provide the optional capability totake one or more measurements at the fitting location. Also,incorporating the sensor housing of the present invention into a fittingwith various inlet and outlet configurations, provides flexibility andcan reduce costs by avoiding custom tooling and/or molds.

A cap is preferably placed on the end 59 of the housing 50 to cover thesensor assembly and any wires, cables or tethers required to control orpower the sensor, or carry a signal to/from the sensor mounted in thehousing 50. The housing 50 and cap 75 can guide the cable away or towardthe fitting. Alternatively, the cap 75 can be used to secure and/orstabilize the sensor assembly, either alone or in combination withfurther interior housing supports. Also, to housing 50 can be notched 57in specific locations to limit and/or guide the orientation of the cap75 and/or the wiring. Also, the cap 75 can be permanently secured to thehousing 50, such as through chemical bonding or a one-way snap-fitunion. However, less permanent fastening techniques can be employed,such as a mating threading or other coupling between the housing 50 andthe cap 75. A removable cap 75 might be reusable, while a permanentlysecured one would more likely be intended for single or limited-usealong with the rest of the fitting 11. The mounting between the housing50 and the cap 75 may need to be sealed, depending on whether a seal isnot already provided around the aperture 60 or between the sensor seat55 and the sensor assembly seated therein. For a removable cap 75, aseal can be provided by a gasket, o-ring or other known means. Apermanently secured cap 75 can be chemically bonded, ultrasonic weldingor other known means.

As shown, the outer walls adjacent the ports 20, 30 are preferablyformed as hose barbs 21, 31, for easily coupling with flexible tubing.Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 4-10, ribs 47 can be provided on theouter surface of the fitting, just behind the hose barb for improvedengagement between the fitting 10 and the attached tubing.Alternatively, the outer port walls could be threaded, or the portscould be provided with a combination of one be threaded and the otherhaving hose barbs. The fitting 10 is also preferably provided withradially extending flanges 70, which are also integrally formed with thehousing 50. The flanges 70 are suitable as stops or limits for how farthe process tubing (not shown) can be mounted onto the fitting.

As shown in FIGS. 4-10, the sensor housing 50 preferably has a circularcross-section, while the sensor seat 55 preferably has a rectangularcross-section. The sensor seat 55 is also preferably formed as a recessor depression in the outer wall central portion 49. The rectangularshape of the sensor seat 55, along with the offset (non-centered)position of aperture 60 provide a mechanism for ensuring the sensor isinstalled in a predictable position relative to the fitting 10.Nonetheless, such features could be removed or altered to suit theapplication. For example, other shapes and proportions could be used forthe housing 50, seat 55 or even the aperture 60. Additionally, thehousing 50 and/or aperture 60 could alternatively be provided with innerthreading for threaded engagement with the sensor portions insertedtherein. Additionally, the inner walls of housing 50 could alternativelybe grooved or shaped to mate with, stabilize and/or secure a portion ofthe sensor assembly.

Specifically, FIG. 4 shows fitting 11, with a blank on one port 30 and ahose barb on the other port 20. Such a blank could be used to measurestatic pressure on a piece of tube such as measuring the liquid pressurehead in a system. FIG. 5 includes a fitting 12 with a port plate 35 thatsecures to a bag or container at port 30. As shown in FIG. 5, fitting 12can be integrated into or onto a bag port of a process application bagor container. Thus, the fitting 12 can be used to directly measurepressure at the bag port 30. The hose barb port 20 on the other side canbe used to connect tubing to the bag or container. In other words, fluidflowing into or out of the container can be measured. Alternatively byconnecting a cap (not shown) on the opposite side 20 of the bag port 30,static fluid characteristics, such as pressure, pH, temperature, etc.,can be measured in the container/bag. FIG. 6 shows a hose barb/sanitaryflange 36 combination. FIG. 7 shows a hose barb/threading configuration.The threaded portion 37 of the fitting 14 can also be coupled to amatching female threading with a washer or other sealer to preventleaks. Also, note that FIG. 7 illustrates the orienting grooves/notches57 in the housing 50. FIGS. 8 and 9 show fittings 15, 16 that includemore than one housing 50. It should be noted that in such multi-housingconfigurations, extra housing portions 50, that are not used (i.e.,filled with a sensor assembly or a portion thereof) can be plugged orclosed-off.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show fittings 17, 18 that include an in-line filter 90.It should be understood that filter 90 could alternatively be a T-line,cross-flow or other form of filter. FIG. 10 includes a sensor housing 50closer to one of the two ports, namely port 20, but alternatively asecond sensor housing could be provided on the other side of the filter90 as well. FIG. 11 includes the sensor housing 50 disposed on thefilter 90. It should be understood that the one or more sensor housingscould be disposed almost anywhere on the filter 90. Also, multiplesensor housings could be provided with one or more on the filter and oneor more off the filter.

It should be noted that while hose barbs, threaded fittings and someothers coupling portions are described for the fittings, other optionsfor the inlets 20/outlets 30 of the fitting could be used forinterchangeability (such as sanitary fittings) and flexible tubing ismentioned but this invention could also be adapted to plastic and metalrigid piping. As a further alternative, luer fittings could beincorporated onto the outer region of the inlets 10 and outlets 20.However, luer fittings tend to require narrow flow paths, which canalter fluid flow characteristics or just impede the fluid flow. Also,luer adapters tend to loosen and/or leak when manipulated and are notalways suited for industrial process operation.

FIG. 12, shows the universal fitting 10 and cap 75 of FIG. 2, with asensor assembly 100 inserted within the housing 50. As described above,the sensor assembly 100 can measure numerous specific fluidcharacteristics. The particular assembly 100 shown in FIG. 12 is in thestyle of a MEMS chip sensor with a probe 105 inserted within theaperture 60. Also, the sensor assembly includes wires, cables or tether110 that extend(s) to a coupling element 115. In this way the assemblycan be linked to nearby monitoring equipment that might record and/orcontrol the system. It should be understood that while a particularconfiguration of sensor assembly is shown, any one of the fluidmeasurement systems discussed above could preferably be incorporated tofit within the housing 50, in accordance with the present invention. Inthis way, fiber optic, RF transmitting/powered or other systems could beused.

Further, to determine reliability of placement of the sensor duringmanufacturing and overall integrity of the part, a leak test of the partthat does not damage the fitting to later be used by the customer shouldbe conducted. A rubber stopper (or other acceptable material), flatgasket or similar components could be placed into all inlets/outletsexcept one. They could be manually inserted or be mounted to a fixture.The part could be placed into a fixture that would hold the stopper likecomponent in place if manually inserted, or the fixture would align thepart to secure the stopper or flat gasket in place. An air line wouldcome within the interior of another rubber stopper like component thatwould be inserted into the remaining inlet/outlet and this rubberstopper like component would be secured into place within the fixture.Air pressure could be then be applied to the part and either a gauge onthe air line or the pressure sensor itself could measure pressure decayto indicate leaks when the air pressure was isolated on the part.Pressure up the highest acceptable values could be used and the valueswould depend on factors such as the part size, material, sensor mountingmethod, and sensor itself. With the same set-up a leak “sniffer” couldbe used if the part was pressurized with a gas such as helium orhydrogen to look for leaks. Another quality test could involve having asensor housing design that would allow attachment of a hose or fixturewithout causing any wear or damage to the hose barb that will later beused by the customer.

Furthermore the fitting design of the present invention can be used forother sensors to gain access to many different process streams foranalytical measurements with a similar circuit and even two pressuresensors could be used in a special center sensor mounting part designand be used as a differential mass and/or volumetric flow sensor.

In a preferred embodiment, the fittings 10-17 are designed as disposableunits for single or very limited use. Thus, by providing an easilymanufactured and low cost fitting along with only limited sensorelements that get contaminated by the process, the overall process costscan be reduced. Also, the light-weight fitting of the present invention,along with the minimal sensor elements held within the housing, have asmall profile which can be more easily incorporated into existingprocess applications.

As mentioned earlier, the fittings described can be made frominexpensive plastic, ceramic or metal materials designed for single orlimited use, such as those discussed in 1997 Association of theAdvancement of Medical Instrumentation Technical Information Reportdesignated-TIR17-1997 (hereinafter referred to as “AAMI 1997”). Thus,the fitting is preferably disposed or discarded after it has beencontaminated during use as a fluid handling element. It should be notedthat references herein to the term “disposable” or “single use” are toelements that are designed to be thrown away or discarded after a verylimited number of uses and preferably used with a process only once. Theuniversal fitting can be made or formed by machining, stamping, moldingor other known techniques for forming such items.

As will be recognized by one of skill in the art, many variations arepossible and within the scope of this invention. For example, thefittings 10-17 can be made to any convenient size, from relatively smallbench top type systems to large, industrial scale pumping systems. Thesensors and related portions of the system described herein throughoutcan likewise be increased in size and/or capacity to provide appropriatemeasurement for systems of various sizes and performance capabilities.

In addition, with the low cost, the pressure sensor could be disposed ofwith the process tubing. This could make it a cleaner and safer processbecause remaining contents in the tubing would not leak as happens whena gauge or transmitter is removed.

While various embodiments of the present invention are specificallyillustrated and/or described herein, it will be appreciated thatmodifications and variations of the present invention may be effected bythose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and intendedscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A universal sensor apparatus for in-line fluidmeasurement in a process application, the apparatus comprising a fittingbody and a sensor assembly for measuring a characteristic of the fluid,wherein the fitting body comprises: an inlet port for in-line couplingto the process application; an outlet port opposite the inlet port; atubular wall extending between the inlet port and the outlet port, thewall having an inner surface defining a fluid flow passage providingfluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port; a sensorhousing extending outwardly away from an outer surface of the tubularwall of the fitting body, the sensor housing together with a portion ofsaid outer surface of the tubular wall defining a housing interior forreceiving the sensor assembly; a sensor seat disposed within saidhousing interior, said sensor seat being formed as a recess in saidportion of said outer surface of said tubular wall; and at least oneprobe aperture formed through said tubular wall and extending from thefluid passage to the sensor seat within the housing interior, andwherein the sensor assembly comprises: a sensing portion disposed withinsaid probe aperture, said sensing portion having a sensing surfaceexposed to the fluid flow passage, wherein the sensing surface of thesensing portion is substantially flush with an inner surface of thefluid flow passage; and a chip portion seated within said sensor seat.2. The universal sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chip portionof the sensor assembly is at least partially received in the sensor seatin a predefined mounting orientation established by the sensor seat. 3.The universal sensor apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sensor seat isformed by a rectangular depression in an outer portion of the fluidpassage wall, the body having a thinner wall thickness at the bottom ofthe sensor seat and the rectangular depression having an inner contoursubstantially matching an outer contour of the chip portion.
 4. Theuniversal sensor apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an annularflange for limiting a length of application process tubing that can bedirectly mounted on the fitting, the flange protruding radially from anouter portion of the fluid passage wall.
 5. The universal sensorapparatus of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the annular flangeforms a portion of the housing.
 6. The universal sensor apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein an outer portion of the fluid passage wall includes atleast one hose barb or threaded portion for maintaining a couplingbetween the fitting and the process application.
 7. The universal sensorapparatus of claim 1, wherein the chip portion of the sensor assembly isa microprocessor chip controlling the sensor portion.
 8. The universalsensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein an outer portion of the fluidpassage wall includes at least one of a hose barb, threading, port plateand sanitary flange coupling structure for maintaining a couplingbetween the fitting and the process application.
 9. The universal sensorapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a housing cap forsubstantially enclosing the at least one sensor assembly, the cap sizedto matingly secure to at least one housing.
 10. The universal sensorapparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing portion of the sensor assemblycomprises an optical fluorescing membrane and a detector.